Copyright management apparatus

ABSTRACT

An electronic copyrighted work distribution management system includes an electronic copyrighted work sales apparatus selling an electronic copyrighted work, a copyright management apparatus administering a copyright royalty of an electronic copyrighted work sold by the electronic copyrighted work sales apparatus, a seller terminal used by a seller, and a copyright terminal used by a copyright holder. The electronic copyrighted work sales apparatus calculates and transmits to the copyright management apparatus the copyright royalty of a selected electronic copyrighted work. The copyright management apparatus stores the received copyright royalty data for each copyright holder. Since the copyright management apparatus receives and stores for each copyright holder the copyright royalty data transmitted from the electronic copyrighted work sales apparatus, the copyright royalty can be administered.

This application is the national phase under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of PCTInternational Application No. PCT/JP99/03513 which has an Internationalfiling date of Jun. 30, 1999, which designated the United States ofAmerica.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the art of administering distributionof electronic copyrighted work such as electronic books and displayingsuch copyrighted work. Particularly, the present invention relates to acopyright management apparatus administering the copyright royaltyassociated with the sales of an electronic book, an electroniccopyrighted work sales apparatus providing contents of an encodedelectronic book to the user, an electronic book sales apparatusproviding contents of an encoded electronic book to the user, anelectronic book display apparatus decoding and displaying the contentsof the encoded electronic book, a key information management apparatusadministering for every user the key information that is required indecoding the contents of an electronic book, and an electroniccopyrighted work distribution management system connecting theseapparatuses through a communication line.

BACKGROUND ART

Sales of books based on paper as the medium has been carried out widelyfrom the past. In publishing a book, a predetermined number of copiescorresponding to the expected sales of that book are printed anddistributed at bookshops and the like by the distribution system. Thebook is placed at the store to be sold. These books become the stock ateach bookshop until it is sold. When the book is not sold within apredetermined period of time, the book may be returned to the publisherthat is the origin of the sales.

It is difficult for the publisher to accurately grasp the number ofbooks sold and the number of books in stock at each bookshop. Acopyright royalty fee corresponding to a rough estimate of the number ofsold copies indicated by the publisher was paid to the copyright holder.Therefore, the proper copyright royalty fee was not always paid to thecopyright holder.

Recently, copyrightable objects such as books and the like have beenconverted into electronic form to be distributed on the market in amanner similar to that of software. Since the process of printing outthe copyrighted work is not carried out, it has become difficult for thecopyright holder to identify the number of copies sold. It is nowbecoming more difficult for the copyright holder to obtain the propercopyright royalty fee.

The invention in Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 5-89360 disclosestechnique related thereto. The automatic sales system of the softwaredisclosed in this Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 5-89360 includes an IC(Integrated Circuit) memory card with a ROM (Read Only Memory) storingthe card ID (identification) number and user ID number and areadable/writable RAM (random access memory), an automatic vendingdevice incorporating a telephone line and a storage device in which aplurality of software are stored, and an approval center having atelephone line connected to assign an approval number of a copyright. Apurchaser selects the software he/she wishes to purchase and obtains anapproval number from the approval center through the telephone line,whereby the automatic vending device loads the software in the storagedevice into the RAM of the IC memory card.

By centralizing the amount of sold software through the approval center,the copyright holder can identify the number of software sold. However,there is a problem from the standpoint of security control since theapproval center and the automatic vending device are connected via atelephone line. In other words, there is a possibility that the salesinformation and the like may leak out by illegal access from theautomatic vending machine connected to the telephone line.

In order to prevent the software from being obtained illegally from theautomatic vending device, the card ID number and the user's ID numberare stored in the IC memory card. In the case where a user purchasessoftware from the automatic vending device, information of that purchasewill remain. A problem may occur from the standpoint of protectingprivacy. Furthermore, since the purchaser must obtain the software bymeans of a certain card in which the user's ID number and the like areregistered, the anonymity of the purchaser is exposed to discourage thevolition of purchase.

In the case where the person who has installed the automatic vendingdevice has control on the automatic vending device, the installer mayconduct illegal sales of the copyrighted work such as software throughthe automatic vending device or falsify the number of sales. Thus, therewas a problem that the proper copyright royalty fee may not be paid tothe copyright holder.

In the case where a user purchases a copyrighted work such as softwarefrom the automatic vending device, time is required for the operation towrite into a recording medium the electronic copyrighted work afterselection thereof as well as the time required for the procedure forapproval to purchase a copyrighted work. As a result, there was aproblem that the automatic vending device was occupied by each purchaserfor a rather long period of time.

This problem can be relatively alleviated by reducing the time of datawriting into a recording medium and increasing the communication speedof the data used in the approval procedure. However, there is a limit inshortening the time required particularly in the case where data of alarge amount of an electronic copyrighted work such as book data is tobe written into a recording medium.

A possible approach to solve this problem is to increase the number ofautomatic vending devices according to the number of users. However, anautomatic vending device dedicated to the sales of a copyrighted work isexpensive and the area for installation thereof is also required. It istherefore desirable to correspond to many users with the minimum numberof automatic vending devices.

In accordance with the development of the hardware of a terminal devicesuch as a personal computer and the software, the publication of anelectronic book which is one type of electronic copyrighted work hasbecome more widespread. One can look up into a dictionary or read astory by means of a terminal device. Therefore, the terminal device mustbe capable of reproducing the electronic book for display on a displaydevice. However, the display device includes various display attributes.There is the case where the contents of the electronic book cannot bedisplayed properly. For example, image data includes display attributessuch as the resolution, the number of colors, the gradation tone, andthe like. When the image data is to be displayed on a display devicehaving another display attribute, the image data must be converted so asto conform to the display attribute of the display device throughvarious methods such as resolution conversion (magnification,reduction), reducing number of colors, dithering process and the like.However, there is the disadvantage of degradation in the picture qualityif the same process is applied on the entire region of the former imagedata.

The invention disclosed in Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 62-277855 isdirected to solve this problem. The image processing apparatus disclosedin this Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 62-277855 alters the imageprocessing method such as magnification, reduction, gradation toneconversion and the like according to the type of image in each region ofthe image. However, the operation becomes tedious when the image data isto be processed by the image processing apparatus since the user has tospecify the region and select the image process. If these processes areto be automated, the type of image in each region of the image must beidentified. However, this processing amount is so great that imageprocessing will become time consuming in a portable terminal device orthe like whose processing speed is low.

In the sales of the contents of an electronic book, the illegal copy ofthe contents of the electronic bibliography must be prevented from thestandpoint of protecting the copyright. The invention disclosed inJapanese Patent Laying-Open No. 5-122701 is known as the art relatedthereto. The charge account information processor disclosed in thisJapanese Patent Laying-Open No. 5-122701 includes a magneto-optical diskin which is stored a program or data required to decode the encodedseries of information group or a series of information group withpartially missing information transmitted through air or a predeterminedtransmission path, a magneto-optical disk drive device carrying outinformation recording or reproduction to or from the magneto-opticaldisk, and a personal computer demodulating the series of informationgroup according to the program or data on the magneto-optical disk. Thepersonal computer reproduces the program or data required to demodulatethe series of information group from the magneto-optical disk, anddemodulates the series of information group using the reproduced programor data. Accordingly, only certain users can utilize the series ofinformation group transmitted towards a plurality of users.

When the distributor of the series of information group, for example thedistributor of software, produces a magneto-optical disk for sales, thecharge account of the software can be accommodated by including theusage fee of the software. However, the fee can be charged only on amedium (magneto-optical disk) basis. There was a problem that theroyalty fee of each software could not be charged when a plurality ofsoftware are stored in a medium.

In view of the foregoing, a first object of the present invention is toprovide an electronic copyrighted work sales apparatus that canadminister the copyright royalty by an external source.

A second object is to provide an electronic copyrighted work salesapparatus capable of preventing illegal readout or removal of salesinformation.

A third object is to provide a copyright royalty fee managementapparatus capable of administrating the copyright royalty fee for eachcopyright holder.

A fourth object is to provide an electronic copyrighted workdistribution management system that can administer the copyright royaltyfee of an electronic copyrighted work sold by an electronic copyrightedwork sales apparatus, and prevent illegal sales of an electroniccopyrighted work.

The fifth object is to provide an electronic copyrighted work salesapparatus selling contents of an electronic book that can be reproducedonly through a particular electronic book display apparatus.

The sixth object is to provide an electronic book display apparatuscapable of altering encoded contents that can be reproduced according tocharge account status and the like.

The seventh object is to provide a key information management apparatusgenerating and transmitting as necessary auxiliary information that isrequired in reproducing the contents.

The eighth object is to provide an electronic copyrighted workdistribution management system that allows a user to purchase anddisplay an electronic book that can be reproduced only through aparticular electronic book display apparatus.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of the present invention, an electroniccopyrighted work sales apparatus includes a manipulation unit to selecta desired electronic copyrighted work, a copyright royalty informationstorage unit storing copyright royalty information of an electroniccopyrighted work, a copyrighted work data storage unit storingelectronic copyrighted work data, a copyright royalty calculation unitcalculating the copyright royalty of an electronic copyrighted workselected by the manipulation unit according to the copyright royaltyinformation stored in the copyright royalty information storage unit, acommunication unit transmitting the copyright royalty calculated by thecopyright royalty calculation unit to an external source, and acopyrighted work data write unit writing into a recording mediumelectronic copyrighted work data corresponding to the electroniccopyrighted work selected through the manipulation unit from theelectronic copyrighted work data stored in the copyrighted work datastorage unit.

Since the communication unit transmits the copyright royalty feecalculated by the copyright royalty calculation unit to an externalsource, the copyright royalty can be administered by an external source.

Preferably, the electronic copyrighted work sales apparatus furtherincludes a sales information recording unit storing the sales status ofthe electronic copyrighted work sales apparatus.

By the inclusion of a sales information recording unit recording thesales status in the electronic copyrighted work sales apparatus, thesales status of the electronic copyrighted work sales apparatus can beidentified by reading out the information recorded in the salesinformation recording unit.

Preferably, the electronic copyrighted work sales apparatus furtherincludes an identification information storage unit storingidentification information of an electronic copyrighted work salesapparatus, and a sales information control unit sensing attachment of asales information readout card corresponding to the identificationinformation stored in the identification information storage unit toread out the sales status recorded in the sales information recordingunit.

Since the sales information control unit senses attachment of a salesinformation readout card corresponding to the identification informationstored in the identification information storage unit to read out thesales status recorded in the sales information recording unit, illegalreadout of the information recorded in the sales information recordingunit can be prevented.

Preferably, the sales information control unit reads out and executes aportion of the program corresponding to the identification informationstored in the identification information storage unit and the remainingportion of the program stored in the sales information readout card toread out the sales status recorded in the sales information recordingunit.

Since the sales information control unit reads out and executes aportion of the program corresponding to the identification informationstored in the identification information storage unit and the remainingportion of the program recorded in the sales information readout card,illegal readout of the information recorded in the sales informationrecording unit can be prevented more effectively.

Preferably, the electronic copyrighted work sales apparatus furtherincludes an identification information storage unit storingidentification information of an electronic copyrighted work salesapparatus, and a sales information control unit sensing attachment of asales information management card corresponding to the identificationinformation stored in the identification information storage unit toread out and then delete the information status recorded in the salesinformation recording unit.

Since the sales information control unit senses attachment of a salesinformation management card corresponding to the identificationinformation stored in the identification information storage unit toread out and then delete the sales status recorded in the salesinformation recording unit, the information recorded in the salesinformation recording unit can be prevented from being deletedillegally.

Preferably, the sales information control unit reads out and executes aportion of the program corresponding to the identification informationstored in the identification information storage unit and the remainingportion of the program stored in the sales information management cardto read out and then delete the sales information recorded in the salesinformation recording unit.

Since the sales information control unit reads out and executes aportion of the program corresponding to the identification informationstored in the identification information storage unit and the remainingportion of the program stored in the sales information readout card,illegal delete of the information recorded in the sales informationrecording unit can be prevented further effectively.

Preferably, the electronic copyrighted work sales apparatus furtherincludes a recording medium storage unit storing a plurality ofrecording media. The copyrighted work data write unit writes theelectronic copyrighted work data sequentially into a plurality ofrecording media stored in the recording medium storage unit.

Since the copyrighted work data write unit writes electronic copyrightedwork data sequentially into the plurality of recording media stored inthe recording media storage unit, the purchase procedure by a purchasercan be carried out concurrently even when electronic copyrighted workdata is written into the recording medium.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a copyrightmanagement apparatus includes a communication unit receiving from anexternal source copyright royalty data of an electronic copyrighted worksold, a copyright information storage unit storing copyright informationof an electronic copyrighted work to be sold, and a copyright royaltydata storage unit storing for each copyright holder copyright royaltydata received by the communication unit according to the copyrightinformation stored in the copyright information storage unit.

Since the copyright royalty data storage unit stores for each copyrightholder the copyright royalty data received by the communication unitaccording to the copyright information stored in the copyrightinformation storage unit, the copyright royalty can be administered.

Preferably, the copyright management apparatus further includes acopyright royalty data approval processing unit causing thecommunication unit to transmit to an external source the copyrightroyalty data stored in the copyright royalty data storage unit whenapproval is made of the copyright royalty data stored in the copyrightroyalty data recording unit.

Since the copyright royalty data approval processing unit causes thecommunication unit to transmits to an external source the copyrightroyalty data recorded in the copyright royalty data recording whenapproval is made of the copyright royalty data recorded in the copyrightroyalty data recording unit, transmission of copyright royalty data notapproved by the copyright holder to an external source can be prevented.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, an electroniccopyrighted work distribution management system includes an electroniccopyrighted work sales apparatus selling an electronic copyrighted work,a copyright management apparatus administering the copyright royalty feeof an electronic copyrighted work sold by the electronic copyrightedwork sales apparatus, a seller terminal used by a seller, and acopyright holder terminal used by the copyright holder. The electroniccopyrighted work sales apparatus includes a manipulation unit to selecta desired electronic copyrighted work, a copyright royalty informationstorage unit storing copyright royalty information of an electroniccopyrighted work, a copyrighted work data storage unit storingelectronic copyrighted work data, a copyright royalty calculation unitcalculating the copyright royalty of an electronic copyrighted workselected through the manipulation unit according to the copyrightroyalty information stored in the copyright royalty information storageunit, a first communication unit transmitting the copyright royaltycalculated by the copyright royalty calculation unit to the copyrightmanagement apparatus, and a copyrighted work data write unit writinginto a recording medium electronic copyrighted work data correspondingto an electronic copyrighted work selected through the manipulation unitout from the electronic copyrighted work data stored in the copyrightedwork data storage unit. The copyright management apparatus includes asecond communication unit receiving from a copyrighted work salesapparatus copyright royalty data of an electronic copyrighted work sold,a copyright information storage unit storing copyright information of anelectronic copyrighted work to be sold, a copyright royalty data storageunit storing for each copyright holder copyright royalty data receivedby the second communication unit according to the copyright informationstored in the copyright information storage unit, and a copyrightroyalty data approval processing unit transmitting to a seller terminalcopyright royalty data recorded in the copyright royalty data recordingunit with respect to the second communication unit when there isapproval of the copyright royalty data recorded in the copyright royaltydata recording unit from the copyright holder terminal.

Since the copyright management apparatus receives the copyright royaltydata transmitted from the electronic copyrighted work sales apparatus tostore the copyright royalty data for each copyright holder, thecopyright royalty can be administered. Also, since the copyrightmanagement apparatus transmits the copyright royalty data to the sellerterminal when there is approval of the copyright royalty data from thecopyright holder terminal, transmission of copyright royalty data notapproved by the copyright holder to the seller terminal can beprevented.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, anelectronic copyrighted work sales apparatus includes a communicationunit carrying out data communication with an external source, a userinterface for a user to select desired contents, a storage unit storingin correspondence the contents of an electronic book and a contentsidentifier, a communication port to which a user identifier is input,and a processing unit extracting from the storage unit a contentsidentifier corresponding to the contents selected by the user interface,transmitting through the communication unit the contents identifier andthe user identifier input to the input port, and providing in a pairauxiliary information to display the contents received through thecommunication unit and the contents of an electronic book selected bythe user interface.

Since the processing unit outputs the auxiliary information received bythe communication unit and the contents of the electronic book selectedby the user interface in a pair, contents that can be reproduced only bya particular user can be provided.

Preferably, the electronic copyrighted work sales apparatus furtherincludes a charge account processing unit carrying out charge accountfrom a user. The processing unit alters the contents identifier to betransmitted by the communication unit according to the charge accountstatus by the charge account processing unit.

Since the processing unit alters the contents identifier transmitted bythe communication unit according to the charge account status by thecharge account processing unit, the contents that can be reproduced canbe altered by the charge account status.

According to a still further aspect of the present invention, a keyinformation management apparatus includes a communication unit carryingout data communication with an external source, a first table storing acontents identifier corresponding to the contents of an electronic bookand a contents key in correspondence, a second table storing a useridentifier and a user key in correspondence, and a processing unitreferring to the first and second tables to extract a contents key and auser key according to the contents identifier and the user identifierreceived by the communication unit to generate and transmit to thecommunication unit auxiliary information to display the contents fromthe extracted contents key and user key.

Since the processing unit generates and transmits to the communicationunit the auxiliary information to display the contents from theextracted contents key and user key, the auxiliary information can beprovided so that only a particular user can utilize the contents key.

According to yet a further aspect of the present invention, anelectronic book display apparatus includes an input unit to enterauxiliary information to display the contents and encoded contents of anelectronic book, a processing unit generating a contents key from theauxiliary information entered through the input unit and a prestoreduser key, and reproducing the encoded contents entered by the input unitusing the contents key, and a display unit displaying the contentsreproduced by the processing unit.

Since the processing unit generates a contents key from the auxiliaryinformation entered through the input unit and a prestored user key, andreproduces the encoded contents entered through the input unit using thecontents key, only a particular electronic book display apparatus canreproduce that encoded contents.

Preferably, the encoded contents include a plurality of modulesincluding at least one of data and a processing program. The processingunit sequentially executes the plurality of modules to reproduce thecontents of an electronic book.

Since the encoded contents include a plurality of modules including atleast the data or the processing program, the contents of an electronicbook can be reproduced by appropriately executing the module by theprocessing unit.

Preferably, the plurality of modules include a module with thedescription of display attribute information. The processing unitextracts a display attribute from the module with the description of adisplay attribute to selectively execute a plurality of modulesaccording to the display attribute.

Since the processing unit selectively executes a plurality of modulesaccording to the display attribute, only image data matching the displayattribute can be reproduced.

Preferably, the plurality of modules include a module with thedescription of information indicating the type of contents key. Theprocessing unit extracts information indicating the type of contents keyfrom the module with the description of the information indicating thetype of contents key to determine whether to execute the relevant moduleaccording to the information.

Since the processing unit determines whether to execute a moduleaccording to the information indicating the type of contents key, theencoded contents that can be reproduced can be altered according to thecharge account status.

Preferably, the electronic book display apparatus further includes arecording medium having auxiliary information to display contents andencoded contents of an electronic book recorded. The input unit readsout the auxiliary information and the encoded contents of the electronicbook, recorded in the recording medium.

Since the input unit reads out the auxiliary information and the encodedcontents of the electronic book recorded in the recording medium, thecontents of an electronic book can be provided to a user through therecording medium.

Preferably, the recording medium has the auxiliary information recordedin a nonreadable region.

Since the auxiliary information is recorded in a nonreadable region of arecording medium, readout of this auxiliary information by a generalpurpose reader apparatus can be prevented.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, an electroniccopyrighted work distribution management system includes an electroniccopyrighted work sales apparatus selling an electronic book, a keyinformation management apparatus administering the key information of anelectronic book to be sold by the electronic copyrighted work salesapparatus, and an electronic book display apparatus reproducing anddisplaying an electronic book sold by the electronic copyrighted worksales apparatus. The electronic copyrighted work sales apparatusincludes a first communication unit carrying out data communication withthe key information management apparatus, a user interface for a user toselect desired contents, a storage unit storing contents of anelectronic book and a contents identifier in correspondence, acommunication port to which a user identifier is input, and a firstprocessing unit extracting from the storage unit a contents identifiercorresponding to the contents selected by the user interface, causingthe first communication unit to transmit the contents identifier and theuser identifier input through the communication port, and providing in apair auxiliary information to display the contents received by the firstcommunication unit and the contents of an electronic book selected bythe user interface. The key information management apparatus includes asecond communication unit carrying out data communication with theelectronic copyrighted work sales apparatus, a first table storing acontents identifier corresponding to the contents of an electronic bookand a contents key in correspondence, a second table storing a useridentifier and a user key in correspondence, and a second processingunit referring to the first table (501) and the second table to extracta contents key and a user key according to the contents identifier anduser identifier received by the second communication unit to generateand transmit to the second communication unit auxiliary information todisplay the contents from the extracted contents key and user key. Theelectronic book display apparatus includes an input unit enteringauxiliary information to display the contents and encoded contents of anelectronic book, a third processing unit generating a contents key fromthe auxiliary information entered through the input unit and a prestoreduser key to reproduce encoded contents entered through the input unitusing the contents key, and a display unit displaying the contentsreproduced by the third processing unit.

Since the electronic book display apparatus can input the auxiliaryinformation and encoded contents output from electronic copyrighted worksales apparatus, generate a contents key from the auxiliary informationand a prestored user key, and reproduce the encoded contents using thecontents key, the encoded contents can be reproduced only by aparticular electronic book display apparatus.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, an electroniccopyrighted work sales apparatus includes a processing unit generatingand adding to electronic book data auxiliary information according toelectronic book data and the input user identifier.

Since the processing unit generates and adds to the electronic book dataauxiliary information according to the electronic book data and inputuser identifier, contents reproducible by only a particular user can beprovided.

Preferably, the processing unit includes a first processing unitcalculating and adding to electronic book data a usage time limitaccording to information defined at the header of electronic book data,a second processing unit encrypting and adding to the electronic bookdata the contents of an electronic book data, and a third processingunit calculating a hash value from the header added by the firstprocessing unit and the contents added by the second processing unitusing a hash function to encrypt the hash value with the user identifierand add the same to the electronic book data as auxiliary information.

Since the third processing unit calculates a hash value from the headeradded by the first processing unit and the contents added by the secondprocessing unit using a hash function to encrypt the hash value with theuser identifier to add the same to electronic book data as auxiliaryinformation, display of contents copied illegally through the electronicbook display apparatus can be prevented.

According to yet a still further aspect of the present invention, anelectronic book display apparatus includes a first processing unitgenerating auxiliary information according to electronic book data and auser identifier to compare the generated auxiliary information with theauxiliary information added to the electronic book data, and areproduction processing unit determining the reproduction processingmethod of the contents according to the comparison result by the firstprocessing unit to reproduce the contents.

Since the reproduction processing unit determines the reproductionprocessing method of the contents according to the comparison result bythe first processing unit to reproduce the contents, only a particularuser can reproduce and display the contents.

Preferably, the electronic book display apparatus further includes asecond processing unit comparing information of the usage time limitdefined at the header of the electronic book data with the current timeto determine and command the reproduction processing unit whether todisplay the contents or not.

Since the second processing unit compares the usage time limitinformation defined at the header of the electronic book data with thecurrent time to determine and command the reproduction processing unitwhether to display the contents or not, expire by the time limit fromwhen the contents have been purchased is allowed.

Preferably, the electronic book display apparatus further includes athird processing unit determining whether to decode with the useridentifier the encoded contents of an electronic book data according tothe comparison result by the first processing unit.

Since the third processing unit determines whether to decode with theuser identifier the encrypted contents of the electronic book dataaccording to the comparison result by the first processing unit andexecutes the process, reproduction and display of contents illegallycopied can be prevented.

Preferably, the electronic book display apparatus further includes auser identifier registration unit registering a user identifierautomatically generated or input by a user.

Since the user identifier registration unit registers a user identifierthat has been automatically generated or input by a user, the publisher,the key management sensor, or the like does not have to administer theuser identifier. Therefore, the procedure can be simplified.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a schematic structure of an electronic copyrighted workdistribution management system according to a first embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart to describe the processing procedure of theelectronic copyrighted work distribution management system of the firstembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 3A-3C are diagrams to describe the data structure of an electronicbook.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic structure of an electronic copyrighted workdistribution management system according to a second embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic structure of an electronic copyrighted workdistribution management system according to a third embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram to describe the concept of an electronic copyrightedwork distribution management system according to a fourth embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a schematic structure of a vendingdevice 103.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a schematic structure of a viewer 101.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a schematic structure of a keymanagement center 110.

FIG. 10 shows the communication contents of key information and the likeamong a viewer 101, a vending device 103, a publisher 108 and a keymanagement center 110.

FIG. 11 shows an example of a bit string generated by an operationmodule 503.

FIG. 12 shows an example of a contents charge account information table1201.

FIG. 13 is a diagram to describe the processing procedure ofinterpreting encoded contents by viewer 101 to reproduce and display thecontents.

FIGS. 14A-14D show display attributes of viewer 101.

FIG. 15 shows display attributes corresponding to the display format ofviewer 101 of FIGS. 14A-14D.

FIG. 16 is a diagram to describe the coordinate system of the displayscreen of viewer 101.

FIG. 17 shows an example (first example) of encoded contents.

FIG. 18 shows an example (second example) of encoded contents.

FIG. 19 shows an example of a processing table.

FIG. 20 is a diagram to describe the processing procedure of a PUTIMAGEprocessing module.

FIG. 21 is a diagram to describe schematically the process of viewer 101when there is a bit string in a nonreadable region of a medium 102.

FIGS. 22A and 22B are diagrams to describe the nonreadable regionprovided in medium 102.

FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing a schematic structure of anelectronic copyrighted work distribution management system according toa fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a diagram to describe the processing procedure of registeringa user ID at viewer 820 of the fifth embodiment of the presentinvention.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION First Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 1, an electronic copyrighted work sales systemaccording to a first embodiment of the present invention includes anelectronic book sales apparatus (referring to as “sales terminal”hereinafter) for a purchaser 3 to carry out purchasing procedures of anelectronic copyrighted work, and write the electronic book data to bepurchased into a recording medium 2, a copyright management apparatus(referring to as “copyright management center” hereinafter) 4administering the copyright royalty fee with respect to the electronicbook data sold by sales terminal 1, a seller terminal 5 used by a seller6 of an electronic book, and a copyright holder terminal 7 used by acopyright holder 8 of the electronic book. Sales terminal 1, copyrightmanagement center 4, sales terminal 5 and copyright holder terminal 7are respectively connected via a communication line 28.

Sales terminal 1 includes a display unit 9 displaying book informationthat is required for purchaser 3 to select an electronic book to bepurchased, the manipulation method of sales terminal 1, and the like, amanipulation unit 12 through which the procedure to purchase anelectronic book is carried out, a book data write unit 13 writingselected electronic book data into recording medium 2 inserted via amedium inlet 10, a book data storage unit 14 in which is recordedelectronic book data corresponding to a plurality of books, a salesterminal control unit 15 providing the entire control of sales terminal1, a sales terminal ID storage unit 16 storing the ID number of salesterminal 1 for administration added to each sales terminal 1 installedat various sites, a sales information recording unit 17 recordinginformation related to sales status of an electronic book at salesterminal 1, a copyright royalty information storage unit 20 storinginformation related to a copyright royalty of an electronic book to besold, a copyright royalty calculation unit 19 calculating a copyrightroyalty of an electronic book to be sold according to the informationstored in copyright royalty information storage unit 20, and a salesterminal communication unit 18 carrying out transmission/reception ofinformation via a communication line 28 such as a telephone line. Salesterminal communication unit 18 may transmit/receive information by radioinstead of by wire.

Purchaser 3 inserts recording medium 2 through medium inlet 10 andmanipulates manipulation unit 12 according to the contents displayed ondisplay unit 9, whereby electronic book data of a desired book iswritten into recording medium 2. Recording medium 2 into whichelectronic book data is written is output through a medium outlet 11.Although a medium inlet 10 and a medium outlet 11 are providedseparately, a structure with a common slot may be used.

Book data storage unit 14, sales terminal ID storage unit 16, salesinformation storage unit 17 and copyright royalty information storageunit 20 are formed of an electrically readable and writable nonvolatilememory that can retain information independent of whether there is amain power supply or not, a memory with the backup of a battery, arecording medium recorded magnetically, or the like.

Sales terminal control unit 15 is formed of a CPU (central processingunit), a ROM (read only memory) in which an execution program of the CPUis recorded, and a RAM (random access memory) used as the work area, andthe like. Control of sales terminal 1 is provided by the CPU executingthe program stored in the ROM or RAM.

Copyright royalty calculation unit 19 extracts copyright royaltyinformation corresponding to the electronic book selected by thepurchaser from the copyright information stored in copyright royaltyinformation storage unit 20 to calculate the copyright royalty feethereof. The CPU in sales terminal control unit 15 may carry out thiscalculation of the copyright royalty.

Copyright management center 4 includes a management center control unit21 providing the entire control of copyright management center 4, aseller information storage unit 22 administering information related tothe seller of an electronic book to be sold by seller terminal 1, asales terminal information storage unit 23 administering the salesterminal ID of each sales terminal installed at various sites andinformation related to the sales terminal corresponding to each salesterminal ID, a management center communication unit 24 carrying out datatransmission/reception via a communication line such as a telephoneline, a copyright information storage unit 25 storing informationrelated to the copyright of an electronic book to be sold by salesterminal 1, a copyright royalty data recording unit 26 storing copyrightroyalty data related to an electronic book sold by sales terminal 1, anda copyright royalty data approval processing unit 27 collectingcopyright royalty information according to the approval procedurecarried out by copyright holder 8 via copyright holder terminal 7 togenerate information to be transmitted to seller terminal 5. Managementcenter communication unit 24 may transmit/receive information by radioinstead of by wire.

Sales terminal 5 is a communication terminal capable of datacommunication between sales terminal 1 and copyright management center4. Copyright holder terminal 7 is a communication terminal capable ofdata communication with copyright management center 4. Seller terminaland copyright holder terminal 7 can be realized by a device such as apersonal computer that can carry out data communication through acommunication line. The information related to seller terminal 5 andcopyright holder terminal 7 is administered by copyright managementcenter 4. The seller or the copyright holder can obtain the requiredinformation from copyright management center 4 through seller terminal 5or copyright holder terminal 7.

FIG. 1 shows a structure in which seller terminal 5 and copyright holderterminal 7 are individual terminals. In the case where seller 6 owns thecopyright of an electronic copyrighted work of a copyright holder 8,seller terminal 5 and copyright holder terminal 7 may be configured ofthe same terminal. In this case, seller terminal 5 and copyright holderterminal 7 are registered in copyright management center 4 as the sameterminal.

FIG. 1 shows a structure in which one seller 6 uses one seller terminal5. However, a plurality of sellers 6 can administer the electroniccopyrighted work using one seller terminal 5.

The processing procedure of the electronic copyrighted work distributionmanagement system of the present embodiment for purchaser 3 to purchasean electronic book will be described with reference to FIG. 2. First,purchaser 3 selects an electronic book to be purchased usingmanipulation unit 12 according to the displayed contents of display unit9 of seller terminal 1 (S1). Then, purchaser 3 inserts recording medium2 into which the electronic book is to be recorded (S2).

Upon insertion of recording medium 2 through medium inlet 10, salesterminal control unit 15 causes copyright royalty calculation unit 19 tocalculate the copyright royalty fee. Copyright royalty calculation unit19 refers to the copyright royalty information stored in copyrightroyalty information storage unit 20 to calculate the copyright royaltyfee of the electronic book selected by purchaser 3 (S3).

Sales terminal control unit 15 records in sales information recordingunit 17 information indicating the start of transmission of thecopyright royalty data calculated by copyright royalty calculation unit19 from seller terminal 1 to copyright management center 4 (S4). Salesterminal control unit 15 causes the copyright royalty data to betransmitted by sales terminal communication unit 18 to copyrightmanagement center 4 via communication line 28 (S5).

Management center control unit 21 of copyright management center 4receives the copyright royalty data via communication line 28 andmanagement center communication unit 24. That copyright royalty data isrecorded in a copyright royalty data recording unit 26 that administersand records the copyright royalty fee for each copyright holder (S6).Management center control unit 24 notifies sales terminal 1 viamanagement center communication unit 24 and communication line 28 thatregistration of the copyright royalty has ended (S7).

Upon receiving the information that registration of the copyrightroyalty has ended via communication line 28 and sales terminalcommunication unit 18, sales terminal control unit 15 records in salesinformation recording unit 17 information indicating that the royaltyfee data has been registered in copyright management center 4 (S8).Then, sales terminal control unit 15 records in sales informationrecording unit 17 information indicating initiation of writingelectronic book data selected by purchaser 3 into recording medium 2(S9). The writing operation of the electronic book data into recordingmedium 2 is initiated by book data write unit 13 (S10).

Sales terminal control unit 15 confirms that the writing operation ofthe electronic book data selected by purchaser 3 into recording medium 2has ended, and records into sales information recording unit 17information indicating write completion when the writing operation hasended properly. If the writing operation did not end properly, salesterminal control unit 15 records write error information into salesinformation recording unit 17 (S11). Upon confirmation of the propercompletion of writing of the electronic book data by sales terminalcontrol unit 15, recording medium 2 is discharged from medium outlet 11(S12).

By the foregoing processing procedure, check can be made based on theinformation recorded in sales information recording unit 17 of salesterminal 1 when an error occurs during transmission of copyright royaltydata at sales terminal 1 towards copyright management center 4 and thereis difference between the data recorded in copyright royalty datarecording unit 26 of copyright management center 4 and the actual saleshistory.

Even in the abnormal case where the operation of sales terminal 1 stopsby electric power failure or the like during the writing operation ofthe electronic book data into recording medium 2 of purchaser 3 by salesterminal 1, the status of only initiating the writing operation isrecorded in sales information recording unit 17. Therefore, confirmationcan be made that the sales of the electronic book data did not endproperly.

In the case where the copyright of a plurality of copyright holders isincluded in one electronic book to be sold, copyright royaltycalculation unit 19 can calculate the copyright royalty fee for eachcopyright holder according to the information stored in copyrightroyalty information storage unit 20. Copyright management center 4receives through communication line 28 and management centercommunication unit 24 the copyright royalty with respect to eachcopyright holder, and records into copyright royalty data recording unit26 the copyright royalty corresponding to each copyright holderaccording to the copyright information stored in copyright informationstorage unit 25.

Copyright holder 8 can refer to his/her own copyright royalty datarecorded in copyright royalty data recording unit 26 of copyrightmanagement center 4 through copyright holder terminal 7 to approve thatcopyright royalty data. When there is approval from copyright holder 8,copyright royalty data approval processing unit 27 transmits thatcopyright royalty data to seller terminal 5 via management centercommunication unit 24.

FIG. 3A shows the data structure of a book written by one copyrightholder. The structure of electronic book data corresponding to one bookis depicted. The data structure includes “book 1-ID” indicating the IDof a book 1, “bibliography information 1” indicating bibliographyinformation associated with a book such as the title of the book, theprice, the name of the writer or publisher, and the like, “copyrightholder A-ID” indicating information related to a copyright holder A whois the copyright owner of book 1, “copyright royalty information A1”indicating the copyright royalty information related to book 1 ofcopyright holder A, and “book data A1” corresponding to the body text ofbook 1.

In registering the electronic book data of book 1 into sales terminal 1,“book 1-ID”, “bibliography information 1” and “book data A1” areregistered in book data storage unit 14 whereas “copyright royaltyinformation A1” is registered in copyright royalty information storageunit 20 so as to correspond to “copyright holder A-ID”.

FIG. 3B shows the data structure of a book written by a plurality ofwriters. The structure of the electronic book data corresponding to onebook is shown. This data structure includes “book 2-ID” indicating theID of a book 2, “bibliography information 2” indicating the bibliographyinformation of book 2, “copyright holder A-ID” indicating the ID ofcopyright holder A, “copyright royalty information A2” indicating thecopyright royalty for copyright holder A, “bibliography data A2”corresponding to the body text written by copyright holder A, “copyrightholder B-ID” indicating the ID of an copyright holder B, “copyrightroyalty information B2” indicating the copyright royalty for copyrightholder B, and “book data B2” corresponding to the body text written bycopyright holder B. In the case where there are more copyright holders,the data thereof is stored subsequent to “book data B2”.

In registering the electronic book data of book 2 into sales terminal 1,“book 2-ID”, “bibliography information 2”, “book data A2” and “book dataB2” are registered in book data storage unit 14 whereas “copyrightroyalty information A2” and “copyright royalty information B2” areregistered in copyright royalty information storage unit 20 so as tocorrespond to “copyright holder A-ID” and “copyright holder B-ID”,respectively.

FIG. 3C shows a data structure in which the electronic book datacorresponding to one book is divided per chapter or section. This datastructure includes “book 3-ID” indicating the ID of a book 3,“bibliography information 3” indicating the bibliography information ofbook 3, “copyright holder A-ID” indicating the ID of copyright holder A,“copyright royalty information A3 a” indicating the copyright royaltyfor book data A3 a, “book data A3 a” corresponding to the first chapteror section of the body text, “copyright holder A-ID” indicating the IDof copyright holder A, “copyright royalty information A3 b” indicatingthe copyright royalty for book data A3 b, and “book data A3 b”corresponding to the next chapter or section of the body text. In thecase where there are other chapters or sections, the relevant data isstored subsequent to “book data A3 b”.

In registering the electronic book data of book 2 into sales terminal 1,“book 3-ID”, “bibliography information 3”, “book data A3 a” and “bookdata A3 b” are registered in book data storage unit 14 whereas“copyright royalty information A3 a” and “copyright royalty informationA3 b” are registered in copyright royalty information storage unit 2 soas to correspond to “copyright holder A-ID”.

In the electronic copyrighted work distribution management system of thepresent embodiment, an inlet to insert money into sales terminal 1 or aninlet to insert a cashless card such as a credit card, a prepaid card,or the like may be provided for the charge account of an electronic booksold. Also, charge accounting can be settled through electronicfinancial transaction through sales terminal communication unit 18 andcommunication line 28.

In the case where an inlet is provided for the charge account at salesterminal 1, sales terminal 1 is installed at the store of bookshops,station stalls and the like as a dedicated terminal to have the paymentof the charge account corresponding to the sales collected. In the casewhere an inlet for the charge account is not provided at sales terminal1, sales terminal 1 can be realized by a general purpose device such asa personal computer. A recording device such as a hard disk of apersonal computer is employed as sales terminal ID storage unit 16 tohave sales terminal ID information prestored at that recording device.When purchaser 3 purchases an electronic book, information related tothe sales terminal ID is input through manipulation unit 12, wherebydetermination is made of the approval of purchase by comparing with thesales terminal ID recorded in the recording device.

In this case, information related to the individual who owns thepersonal computer is registered as the sales terminal ID. It is notedthat the anonymity of purchaser 3 is not necessary lost since copyrightmanagement center 4 does not actually use that sales terminal anddirectly administers the information related to the purchaser that is toobtain the electronic copyrighted work such as an electronic book.

Communication line 28 connecting sales terminal 1, copyright managementcenter 4, seller terminal 5 and copyright holder terminal 7 may be anexclusive line other than the public line. Alternatively, datacommunication can be carried out through radio such as a satellite. Theelectronic copyrighted work distribution management system of thepresent embodiment sells book data converted into electronic form as anelectronic copyrighted work. However, an electronic copyrighted worksuch as data corresponding to music converted into electronic form, aprogram for a personal computer, software dedicated to a game, or thelike may be distributed by the electronic copyrighted work distributionmanagement system.

By storing an electronic copyrighted work other than an electronic bookin book data storage unit 14 of sales terminal 1, and having book datawrite unit 14 write that electronic copyrighted work data into recordingmedium 2 of purchaser 3, electronic copyrighted work other than anelectronic book can be sold.

According to the electronic copyrighted work distribution managementsystem of the present embodiment described above, the copyright royaltyis calculated when the electronic copyrighted work is sold at salesterminal 1, and the copyright royalty data is registered at copyrightmanagement center 4 when the electronic copyrighted work data isrecorded into recording medium 2 of purchaser 3. Therefore, thecopyright royalty can be accumulated properly without the salesinformation being administered together. The problem of the propercopyright royalty fees not being paid to the copyright holder due tofalsified sold amount can be eliminated.

By obtaining approval from copyright management center 4 in selling anelectronic copyrighted work by sales terminal 1, the sales of an illegalelectronic copyrighted work whose copyright data is not set at salesterminal 1 can be detected since mismatch occurs between the informationrecorded in sales information recording unit 17 and the approval historyat copyright management center 4.

In the case where an erroneous state occurs caused by power failure orthe like during the sales by sales terminal 1, the current sales statuscan be identified by the information recorded in sales informationrecording unit 17. This reduces the possibility of trouble withpurchaser 3 or with the copyright holder.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic structure of an electroniccopyrighted work distribution management system according to a secondembodiment of the present invention. Since recording medium 2, copyrightmanagement center 4, seller terminal 5 and copyright holder terminal 7in the electronic copyrighted work distribution management system of thesecond embodiment are identical to those of the electronic copyrightedwork distribution management system of the first embodiment shown inFIG. 1, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

A sales terminal 29 of the second embodiment differs from sales terminal1 of FIG. 1 in the addition of a sales information recording unit 30recording information related to the sales status of an electronic bookat sales terminal 29, a sales information control unit 31 providingcontrol of the write, read, and editing operations such as delete of thesales information recorded in sales information recording unit 30, asales information management unit 32 administering the editing processof the sales information by sales information control unit 31, and asales information management card connection unit 33 to which a salesinformation readout card 34 or a sales information management card 35 isconnected in reading out or deleting the sales information recorded insales information recording unit 30. Detailed description of theremaining structure and function will not be repeated.

Sales information recording unit 30 is recorded with information relatedto the communication progress with copyright management center 4 inselling an electronic book described in the previous first embodimentand the information of the progress in writing book data into recordingmedium 2. In a normal sales mode, sales information control unit 31records these information into sales information recording unit 30without any particular restriction.

Upon connection of a sales information readout card 34 to salesinformation management card connection unit 33, the information recordedin sales information recording unit 30 begins to be read out in responseto a predetermined operation through manipulation unit 12. Uponconfirmation of connection of sales information readout card 34 to salesinformation management card connection unit 33, sales informationcontrol unit 31 reads out the required information from the salesinformation recorded in sales information recording unit 30. The readoutinformation is displayed at display unit 9, written into recordingmedium 2 inserted through medium inlet 10, or printed out at a printernot shown connected to sales terminal 29. Thus, the operator can obtainthe information recorded in sales information recording unit 30.

A portion of the program (program to read out the sales informationrecorded in sales information recording unit 30) corresponding to thesales terminal ID stored in sales terminal ID storage unit 16 isrecorded in sales terminal 29. The remaining portion of the programcorresponding to the sales terminal ID recorded in sales terminal IDrecording unit 16 is stored in sales information readout card 34. Salesinformation readout card 34 cannot be used at another sales terminalsince it corresponds to this sales terminal ID. Thus, sales informationmanagement unit 32 has the program corresponding to the sales terminalID executed to allow readout of information from sales informationrecording unit 30 only when a sales information readout card 34corresponding to the sales terminal ID is connected to sales informationmanagement card connection unit 33.

Also, sales information control unit 31 may control sales informationmanagement unit 32 such that information from sales informationrecording unit 30 is read out only when a predetermined operation, forexample a predetermined operation including the input of a password, iscarried out by the user through manipulation unit 12. More specifically,control is provided on a hardware basis so that sales informationcontrol unit 31 can read out information from sales informationrecording unit 30 only when the proper password is input, and salesinformation control unit 31 reads out the program from sales informationreadout card 34 through sales information management card connectionunit 33 and sales information management unit 32.

As described in the first embodiment, sales information is recorded insales information recording unit 30 when an electronic book is sold bysales terminal 29. When sales information management card 35 isconnected to sales information management card connection unit 33,erasure of the information recorded in sales information recording unit30 is initiated by a predetermined operation through manipulation unit12. Upon confirming that sales information management card 35 isconnected to sales information management card connection unit 33, salesinformation control unit 31 reads out the sales information recorded insales information recording unit 30 to write that information intomanagement card storage unit 36 incorporated in sales informationmanagement card 35. Then, sales information control unit 31 erases thesales information recorded in sales information recording unit 30.

A portion of the program (program to erase sales information recorded insales information recording unit 30) corresponding to the sales terminalID stored in sales terminal ID storage unit 16 is recorded in salesterminal 29. The remaining portion of the program corresponding to thesales terminal ID recorded in sales terminal ID recording unit 16 isrecorded in sales information management card 35. Sales informationmanagement card 35 cannot be used at another sales terminal since itcorresponds to that sales terminal ID. Thus, the program correspondingto the sales terminal ID is executed to erase information recorded insales information recording unit 30 by sales information control unit 31only when sales information management card 35 corresponding to thesales terminal ID is connected to sales information management cardconnection unit 33.

According to the electronic copyrighted work distribution managementsystem of the present invention described above, readout or erasure ofthe sales information recorded in sales information recording unit 30 iscarried out only when a sales information readout card 34 or a salesinformation management card 35 is connected to sales informationmanagement card connection unit 33 of sales terminal 29. Therefore,illegal readout, rewrite, or erasure of the information recorded insales information recording unit 30 can be prevented.

Since the information recorded in sales information recording unit 30 isrecorded in management card storage unit 36 of sales informationmanagement card 35, the sales information can be administered together.Since the accumulation administration of the sales information iscarried out individually at the sales terminal in the present embodimentin contrast to the centralized administration of the sales informationby data communication using a general line, the possibility of the salesinformation being accessed illegally or leaking is extremely low.Falsifying the sales information at the sales terminal can be prevented.

Third Embodiment

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a schematic structure of an electroniccopyrighted work distribution management system according to a thirdembodiment of the present invention. Since recording medium 2, copyrightmanagement center 4, seller terminal 5 and copyright holder terminal 7in the present electronic copyrighted work distribution managementsystem are identical to those of the electronic copyrighted workdistribution management system in the first embodiment of FIG. 1,detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

A sales terminal 37 of the present embodiment differs from salesterminal 1 of FIG. 1 in the addition of a recording media storage unit38 in which recording medium 2 inserted through medium inlet 10 istemporarily stored, and also in the function of the sales terminalcontrol unit. Therefore, detailed description of duplicating structureand function will not be repeated. The sales terminal control unit isdescribed with the reference number of 39.

Recording medium 2 inserted through medium inlet 10 is temporarilystored in recording medium storage unit 38. When a plurality ofrecording medium 2 are stored in recording medium storage unit 38, bookdata is sequentially written into the plurality of recording media 2upon designation from purchaser 3 by book data write unit 13.

For example, in the case where a plurality of purchasers are to havebook data written into respective recording medium 2, the firstpurchaser 3 inserts a recording medium 2 through medium inlet 10 tocarry out the procedure of selecting and purchasing electronic bookdata. When this procedure of purchasing ends, information indicating howto output recording medium 2 is displayed at display unit 9 or outputthrough a printer not shown connected to sales terminal 37. Then, thewriting operation of the electronic book data into recording medium 2 isinitiated.

When the next purchaser inserts a recording medium 2 through mediuminlet 10, that recording medium 2 is temporarily stored in recordingmedium storage unit 38. When an electronic book data is selected by thatpurchaser, waiting is conducted to write the electronic book data intorecording medium 2 of the second purchaser until the writing operationof the electronic book data into recording medium 2 of the firstpurchaser 3 ends. When the writing of the electronic book data intorecording medium 2 of the first purchaser 3 ends, completion of writinginto recording medium 2 of the first purchaser 3 is notified bydisplaying or the like at display unit 9. Then the writing of theelectronic book data into the recording medium of the next purchaser isinitiated. The first purchaser takes out recording medium 2 that has thewriting operation completed according to the foregoing information.

In notifying completion of writing to purchaser 3, notification can bemade through a communication device owned by that purchaser, forexample, a personal computer connected to a communication line.

According to the electronic copyrighted work distribution managementsystem of the present embodiment, a purchaser can carry out theprocedure of purchasing concurrently even if book data write unit 13 ofsales terminal 37 is currently writing electronic book data into arecording medium 2 of another purchaser. Therefore, the procedure ofpurchasing by a purchaser can be carried out efficiently.

Fourth Embodiment

FIG. 6 shows the concept of an electronic copyrighted work distributionmanagement system according to a fourth embodiment of the presentinvention. An electronic book display apparatus (referred to as “viewer”hereinafter) 101 reproduces and displays digital data corresponding tothe contents of the electronic book (referred to as “encoded contents”hereinafter since the data is generally encoded) provided from anelectronic book sales apparatus (referred to as “vending device”hereinafter) 103.

Vending device 103 provides encoded contents via a medium 102 or acommunication line to a user 106. Medium 102 can have digital datarecorded, and is formed of a magneto-optical disk, optical disk,magnetic disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, IC card, and the like that canhave data read out by a device such as a personal computer. Vendingdevice 103 internally stores electronic book data to provide to the userthe encoded contents stored internally or distributed from adistribution center 104 upon request of the encoded contents and chargeaccounting by user 106.

A publisher 108 edits or polishes the copyrighted work written by awriter 109 to convert the copyrighted work into an electronic form toproduce encoded contents. The produced encoded contents are distributedto a distribution center 104 through wire such as a communication lineor through radio such as a satellite according to a request fromdistribution center 104.

A manufacturer 105 provides a viewer 101 to user 106. In providingviewer 104 to user 106, a user key is embedded in viewer 101. That userkey is also provided to a key information management apparatus (referredto as “key management center” hereinafter) 110. As will be describedafterwards, decoding of the encoded contents is effected by viewer 101through this user key.

Key management center 110 administers and issues key data and the likethat will be described afterwards through communication by wire or radiowith vending device 103, manufacturer 105, or publisher 108. For thesake of simplification, only one of each apparatus is connected to theelectronic copyrighted work distribution management system of FIG. 6. Ingeneral, a plurality of each apparatus are connected.

Electronic book data can also be distributed via the Internet. In thiscase, a provider 111 distributes electronic book data to a householdterminal 112 (for example, a personal computer), and the value withrespect to the encoded contents is paid to provider 111. The electronicbook data stored in provider 111 is distributed from publisher 108.Provider 111 can be realized with the function equal to that ofdistribution center 104. Household terminal 112 can be realized with afunction equal to that of vending device 103.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a schematic structure of a vendingdevice 103 of FIG. 6. Vending device 103 includes a CPU 201 providingthe entire control of vending device 103, a memory 202 storing theprocessing contents, program and the like, a hard disk 203 storing aplurality of encoded contents and auxiliary information to properlyreproduce or display the encoded contents, a key management center lineI° F. (interface) 205 carrying out communication with key managementcenter 110 through a communication line, a distribution line I/F 206carrying out communication with distribution center 104 via acommunication line, a display device 207 displaying information to theuser of vending device 103, a user interface 208 used by the user tosearch for a desired electronic book or to select an electronic book tobe purchased, a medium writer 209 writing electronic book data into amedium 102, a communication port 210 carrying out communication with aviewer 101, a charge account device 211 confirming the money or thecontents of a prepaid card in exchange for purchasing the encodedcontents by the user and settling the charge account, and an internalbus 204 connecting these components.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a schematic structure of viewer 101.Viewer 101 includes a processing unit 301 providing the entire controlof viewer 101, and formed of a CPU that carries out various operationalprocessing and a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), a RAM 302 temporarilyretaining information used by processing unit 301, a ROM 303 storing aprocessing program executed by processing unit 301, a user key which isthe specific information of viewer 101, and the like, an internal medium304 storing encoded contents read from vending device 103, a mediumdrive 305 formed of a disk drive or the like reading out the encodedcontents from medium 102, a communication port I/F 306 carrying outcommunication with vending device 103 through a communication line, animage memory 307 storing an image (contents information) to be providedto a user after the encoded contents are decoded, an LCD (Liquid CrystalDevice) 308 displaying the image according to the contents stored inimage memory 307, an input unit 309 formed of a serial port convertingthe status of a crosshair cursor and button into serial data for output,a tablet, or the like, an audio unit 310 formed of an audio codec or thelike to encode audio input through a microphone, reproduce encodedmusic, for output from a speaker, and a system bus 311 connecting thesecomponents.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a schematic structure of keymanagement center 110. Key management center 110 includes a CPU 401providing the entire control of key management center 110, a memory 402storing the processing contents, program, and the like, a hard disk 403storing information of a user key and the like that will be describedafterwards, a vender line I/F 405 carrying out communication withvending device 103 through a communication line, a publisher line I/F406 carrying out communication with a publisher 108 through acommunication line, a manufacturer line I/F 407 carrying outcommunication with a manufacture 105 through a communication line, amedium drive 410 reading and writing data with respect to a medium 411and an internal bus 404 connecting these components.

FIG. 10 shows the communication contents such as key information and thelike among viewer 101, vending device 103, publisher 108 and keymanagement center 110. Key management center 110 includes a contentscorrespondence table 501 and a user correspondence table 502 in internalhard disk 403. Contents correspondence table 501 is stored with acontents ID that is information specific to the encoded contents of theelectronic book produced by a publisher, and a contents key required tointerpret, reproduce and display the encoded contents at viewer 101 in apair. It is to be noted that a plurality of contents keys may be storedin correspondence with one contents ID.

The contents ID in contents correspondence table 501 can be produced byany of the methods below.

(1-1) Key management center 110 preassigns a contents ID for eachpublisher 108.

(1-2) Key management center 110 generates a contents ID each time inresponse to a request from publisher 108.

The contents key in contents correspondence table 501 is produced by apublisher by any of the methods below, and transmitted to key managementcenter 110.

(2-1) Publisher 108 generates a contents key corresponding to theaforementioned contents ID, and sends the set of a contents ID and acontents key to key management center 110. Key management center 110adds the set of contents ID and contents key into contentscorrespondence table 501.

(2-2) The contents ID obtained by the foregoing (1-1) or (1-2) istransmitted to key management center 110. Key management center 110produces an encode key 514 and a decode key 515 of the contentscorresponding to that contents ID, and sends only encode key 514 topublisher 108. Publisher 108 encodes the contents of an electronic bookusing encode key 512 transmitted from key management center 110. Keymanagement center 110 adds the set of a contents ID and a contents key(decode key) to contents correspondence table 501.

Instead of assigning a contents ID and contents key for each contents ofan electronic book, the same contents ID and contents key can be set incorrespondence to all the contents. Alternatively, one contents ID andcontents key can be set in correspondence for each publisher.

User correspondence table 502 is recorded with a set of a user ID whichis the information specific to user 106 or viewer 101, and a user keythat is required in interpreting, reproducing and displaying the encodedcontents at a corresponding viewer 101. The user ID and user key in usercorrespondence table 502 are produced by any of the methods below.

(3-1) Key management center 110 produces a user ID and user key for eachviewer 101 and adds the produced set to user management table 502, andthen sends the set to user 106 or manufacturer 105.

(3-2) Key management center 110 produces a user ID for each viewer 101and transmits the produced user ID to manufacturer 105. Manufacturer 105generates a user key and embeds the user key into viewer 101 uponreceiving the user ID. Then, manufacturer 105 transmits the set of auser ID and user key to key management center 110. Key management center110 adds into user correspondence table 502 the received set of user IDand user key.

Instead of assigning a user ID and a user key for each viewer 101 asdescribed above, the same user ID and user key can be assigned to allviewers 101. Alternatively, the set of one user ID and user key can beassigned to a particular viewer such as a plurality of viewers installedat a library, school, or the like. Although vending device 103 and keymanagement center 110 are described as separate apparatuses in theelectronic copyrighted work distribution system in the presentembodiment, the function of key management center 110 can beincorporated in vending device 103.

The procedure of interpreting, reproducing and displaying the encodedcontents using viewer 101 by user 106 will be described hereinafter.

When user 106 obtains encoded contents from vending device 103, user 106refers to display device 207 of vending device 103 to select the encodedcontents that is to be purchased using user interface 208, and providesconnection with viewer 101 and communication port 210, if necessary.Following confirmation of viewer 101 being connected to communicationport 210, CPU 201 in vending device 103 obtains and stores in memory 202a user ID 510 retained in viewer 111. This user ID may be input directlyby user 106 via user interface 208.

A plurality of the sets of encoded contents and corresponding contentsID 504 are stored for every predetermined unit, for example, for everytitle of an electronic book, in hard disk 203 of vending device 103. CPU203 extracts encoded contents and a contents ID from hard disk 203corresponding to the book selected by user 106.

Then, the value corresponding to the electronic book selected by user106, for example money or a prepaid card, is inserted into chargeaccount device 211 by user 106. Charge account device 211 confirms thevalue thereof and settles the account. Upon reception of thenotification of completion of settlement from charge account device 211by CPU 201, the user ID and contents ID stored in memory 202 aretransmitted to key management center 110 via key management center lineI/F 205. When the user ID is unitary, transmission of the user ID to keymanagement center 110 is not effected. For example, in the case wherethe same user ID and user key are assigned to all the users,transmission of the user ID from vending device 103 is omitted.

Key management center 110 receives and stores into memory 402 thecontents ID and user ID from vending device 103 via vender line I/F 405.CPU 401 of key management center 110 looks into contents correspondencetable 501 to extract and store into memory 402 the contents keycorresponding to the received contents ID, and also looks into usercorrespondence table 502 to extract and store into memory 402 the userkey corresponding to the received user ID.

Then, an operation module (formed of CPU 401 and the like) 503 receivesthe extracted user key and contents key, and applies operation thereonto generate and output a train of bits as auxiliary information. FIG. 11shows an example of the bit string generated by operation module 503.This bit string includes a bit number of region 601 storing a bit numberindicating the length of the bit string, an operation type identifierregion 602 storing an identifier indicating the type of operationapplied on the user key and the contents key, and an operation resultregion 603 storing the operation result obtained by applying anoperation on the user key and contents key. The operation result storedin operation result region 603 is data of a variable length.

Operation module 503 selects an operation from a plurality of operationprograms stored in memory 402 or hard disk 403, and stores an identifierof the selected operation into operation type identifier region 602.Operation module 503 applies the selected operation on the input userkey and contents key, and stores the operation result in operationresult region 603. Then, operation module 503 calculates the length ofthe entire bit string and stores the calculated value into bit numberregion 601.

An operation F carried out by operation module 503 calculates one outputvalue from two input values, and satisfies the condition below.

-   -   (Condition) An operation G of Y=G (B X) is present with respect        to the operation result obtained by B=F (X, Y), where X        represents the user key and Y represents the contents key.

In the present embodiment, “operation” is defined as F, and “solutionoperation” is defined as G. There are an infinite number of combinationsof operation F and solution operation G. Some examples are shown here.

-   -   (1) The combination of F (X, Y)=X+Y and G (B, X)=B−X.    -   (2) The combination of F (X, Y)=X×Y and G (B, X)=B÷X.    -   (3) The combination of F (X, Y)=X−Y and G (B, X)=B+X.    -   (4) The combination of F (X, Y)=X÷Y and G (B, X)=B×X (provided        that X is not 0).    -   (5) The combination of F (X, Y)=X^Y and G (B, X)=Log×B (provided        that X^Y indicates an exponential operation).    -   (6) The combination of F (X, Y)=Y>X and G (B, X)=B<X (provided        that, in Y>X, numeric Y is a binary bit string, rotated        rightwards X times, and in B<X, numeric B is a binary bit        string, rotated leftwards X times).

A solution operation G is preset in correspondence with respect tooperation F. After an operation type identifier is assigned to each setof a user key X and a contents key Y, the set of operation F and theoperation type identifier is stored in key management center 110. Theset of corresponding solution operation G and the operation typeidentifier is prestored in viewer 101.

Key management center 110 transmits the bit string including theoperation result obtained by the foregoing operation and the operationtype identifier to vending device 103. CPU 201 of vending device 103 hasthe set of the bit string received from key management center 110 andthe encoded contents preselected by user 106 into medium 102 by mediumwriter 209.

Instead of receiving one type of bit string with respect to one encodedcontents by vending device 103 and writing the same into medium 102, keymanagement center 110 may be requested to produce a plurality of bitstrings with respect to one encoded contents according to the chargeaccount status of user 106 to receive and write into medium 102 theplurality of bit strings. More specifically, vending device 103 has thecharge account information corresponding to the encoded contents storedin a contents charge account information table 1201 to send a differentcontents ID corresponding to the charge account information to keymanagement center 110.

FIG. 12 shows an example of contents charge account information table1201. For example, when user 106 inserts 100 Japanese yen, vendingdevice 103 transmits only a contents ID1 to key management center 110and receives only the bit string corresponding to contents ID1. Whenuser 106 inserts 300 yen, vending device 103 transmits contents ID1,contents ID2 and contents ID3 to key management center 110, and receivesthree bit strings corresponding to contents ID1, contents ID2 andcontents ID3. More specifically, a contents ID of a different type ornumber is transmitted to key management center 110 according to thecharge account status, and a bit string corresponding to that contentsID is received from key management center 110. The set of the encodedcontinents selected by user 106 and the corresponding bit string isstored in medium 102.

The procedure of processing the set of the encoded contents and bitstring recorded in medium 102 by viewer 101 will be described withreference to FIG. 10. Processing unit 301 of viewer 101 includes aseparation module 506 separating the bit string recorded in medium 102from the encoded contents, a solution operation module 507 carrying outa solution operation on operation result 603 included in the bit stringseparated by separation module 506 to generate a contents key, and adecode module 508 decoding the encoded contents using a contents key.

Separation module 506 separates the bit string recorded in recordingmedium 102 from the encoded contents, and transfers the bit string tosolution operation module 507 and the encoded contents to decode module508.

Solution operation module 507 extracts an operation result B stored inoperation result region 603 in the bit string transferred fromseparation module 506, and extracts operation type identifier 602 toselect solution operation G. By carrying out solution operation G onuser key X in solution operation module 507 and operation result B, acontents key Y is generated and transferred to decode module 508.

Decode module 508 decodes the encoded contents using the contents keytransferred from solution operation module 507 and displays the contentsat LCD 308. Details thereof will be described afterwards.

In producing encoded contents corresponding to an electronic book,publisher 108 may carry out a predetermined encryption on contents key512 using an encryption key 514 instead of transmitting the originalcontents key 512 to key management center 110 and send it to keymanagement center 110 as the contents key. In this case, viewer 101carries out decoding using decode key 516 on the contents key generatedby solution operation module 507 to obtain the original contents key512.

The processing procedure of interpreting, reproducing and displaying theencoded contents by viewer 101 will be described with reference to FIG.13.

Upon insertion of a medium 102 into a medium drive 305 of viewer 101,processing unit 301 reads out the bit string and encoded contents frommedium 102 to generate a contents key 515 by the foregoing processingprocedure. When three bit strings are added to the encoded contents asshown in FIG. 13, solution operation module 507 generates and storesinto RAM 302 three types of contents keys. An interpretation module 703interprets encoded contents 701 to divide the same into a plurality ofprocessing procedures 704 and a plurality of data modules 705. Eachprocessing procedure 704 is executed by a corresponding processingmodule 706. Interpretation module 703 and each processing module 706 arerealized by processing unit 301 executing a predetermined program.

Processing module 706 corresponding to processing procedure 704 executesthe process while appropriately referring to data module 705 separatedby interpretation module 703. Data module 705 includes image data thatwill be described afterwards, processing table, font data, andprocessing module to provide a processing function that is not presentin viewer 101. When interpretation module 703 and processing module 706carry out the process, contents key 515 generated by solution operationmodule 507 is referred to appropriately.

FIGS. 14A-14D show the display attributes of viewer 101. Viewer 101 ofFIG. 14A includes two LCDs of 768×1024 pixels and monochrome 8 tones. Adifferent screen can be displayed in each LCD.

Viewer 101 of FIG. 14B includes only one LCD having the number of pixelsand tones identical to those of the LCD of FIG. 14A. Only display dataof one screen can be displayed. Viewer 101 of FIG. 14C includes only oneLCD having the number of pixels and tones identical to those of the LCDof FIG. 14A. Display data of two screens can be shrunk to be displayedtogether.

Viewer 101 of FIG. 14D includes one LCD of 480×640 pixels and 260,000colors. Display data of only one screen can be displayed.

The display attributes of each viewer 101 are registered in RAM 302corresponding to the display format. The display attributes include thenumber of LCDs (the number of LCD incorporated in viewer 101), the LCDnumber of pixels (the number of pixels in the horizontal direction andvertical direction of the LCD in viewer 101), the LCL color(monochrome/color distinction, number of gradation tones, number ofcolors), the display direction (indicating whether user 106 views theLCD with the screen set horizontally or vertically), the number of pages(indicating how many pages are to be displayed in the screen of LCD 1),and the like. The display attributes corresponding to the display formatof viewer 101 of FIGS. 14A-14D are shown in FIG. 15.

The coordinate system of the display screen of viewer 101 of the presentembodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 16. The coordinatesystem includes three types, i.e., the image coordinate system, the pagecoordinate system and the display coordinate system, with the left topas the origin in units of pixels. The image coordinate system serves todescribe the original image data to be displayed. FIG. 16 shows anillustration (300×200 pixels, 8 tones), a photograph (640×480 pixels,16,000,000 colors), and a font image (64×64 pixels per text, two tones).The image coordinate system is the virtual coordinate provided tospecify the location and size of the image on the page to be displayed.The display coordinate system is defined corresponding to the foregoingdisplay attributes.

When interpretation module 703 interprets and divides the contentsdescribed in encoded contents 701, each processing module 706 convertsthe display object described by the image coordinate system into thedisplay coordinate system for display on LCD 308.

FIGS. 17 and 18 show examples of encoded contents 701. The encodedcontents are formed having a plurality of data and processing programscalled modules described. Interpretation module 703 continuously readsout each module and causes each processing module 706 to execute theprocess to reproduce the contents.

Steps 1-3 shown in FIG. 17 correspond to data required for the entirecontents. Interpretation module 703 first reads in this data. By thesubsequent reading of the data on a page-by-page basis by interpretationmodule 703, the contents is reproduced and displayed on a page-by-pagebasis. One module includes a module name, starting delimiter, and endingdelimiter. For example, the image data starting delimiter (102)˜theimage data ending delimiter (1008) represent one module. A module nameis assigned to the starting delimiter and ending delimiter.

Interpretation module 703 extracts the module name for each module, andtransfers the module to processing module 706 that corresponds to thatmodule name. Processing module 706 to which the module has beentransferred executes the process of that module by, for example, callingup a subroutine program. For example, when interpretation module 703interprets the IMAGE module (1002-1008) of FIG. 17, this IMAGE module istransferred to the IMAGE processing module. The IMAGE processing moduleexecutes the subsequent processes.

Each module of FIGS. 17 and 18 includes a region specifying the contentskey. When a contents key is specified in the interpretation of eachmodule by interpretation module 703, the contents key generated by theforegoing process is searched for, and transferred to each processingmodule 706 after the encoded contents is decoded.

The processing contents of each module of FIGS. 17 and 18 will bedescribed hereinafter.

(1) IMAGE Processing Module (Module Name: IMAGE)

Encoded image data is transferred by the system indicated by thecompression method identifier, and stored in RAM 302. When the encodedimage data is transferred properly, an image data ID number is assignedto the region in which this image data is stored.

(2) TABLE Processing Module (Module Name: TABLE)

The table data indicating the image processing method is decoded usingthe specified contents key and transferred to be stored in RAM 302. Whenthe table data is transferred properly, the table ID number is assignedto this table storing region.

FIG. 19 shows an example of this processing table. For example, when amagnification process is to be carried out when a process ID “1” isspecified, the edge enhancement process is carried out after the imagedata has been subjected to the bi-linear interpolation process. When ashrinking process is to be carried out, the simple shrinking process iscarried out on the image data. When the reducing number of colors is tobe carried out, the image data is subjected to the bit slice process. Inthis bit slice process, the data of the lower bits are discarded out ofthe color data or tone data of the image represented by a plurality ofbits.

(3) MODULE Processing Module (Module Name: MODULE)

The processing module itself is transferred and stored into RAM 302 asthe processing module. When the processing module has been transferredproperly, the processing module name is added to the region storing thisprocessing module. This module processing module is used when a processother than the processing modules preregistered in viewer 101 is to beexecuted.

(4) PAGE Processing Module (Module Name: PAGE)

The beginning of the page data is indicated, and the number of pixels inthe x direction and the number of pixels in the y direction of a pageare stored in RAM 302 as the attributes of the page data. In the case ofan electronic book, the region between the descriptor indicating thebeginning of the page data and the descriptor indicating the end of thepage data corresponds to each page.

(5) PUTIMAGE Processing Module (Module Name: PUTIMAGE)

After a process on image data having the specified ID present in RAM 302is carried out, the processed image data is transferred to image memory307 and displayed at LCD 308. The processing procedure of this PUTIMAGEprocessing module will be described in detail hereinafter.

FIG. 20 is a diagram to describe the processing procedure of thePUTIMAGE processing module. A PUTIMAGE processing module 706 reads outfrom the corresponding region and image data in the module the number ofpixels (Xo×Yo) of the original image (image coordinate system) of thedisplay object, the original image region starting point coordinates(Xso, Yso), the number of pixels of the region of the original image(DXs×DYs), the number of pixels (Xp×Yp) of the page (page coordinatesystem), the page region starting point coordinates (Xpo, Ypo) and thenumber of pixels of the page region (DXp×DYp).

PUTIMAGE processing module 706 extracts the number of pixels (Xd×Yd) ofthe display region (display coordinate system), the region startingpoint coordinates (Xdo, Ydo) of the display region, and region number ofpixels (DXd×DYd) of the display region from RAM 302 to carry out amagnification/shrink process. The magnification scale of themagnification/shrink process becomes the entire magnification scale whenthe magnification/shrink process to convert from the image coordinatesystem into the page coordinate system is carried out, followed by themagnification/shrink process to convert from the page coordinate systemto the display coordinate system. In the present embodiment, the regionof the original image is increased/reduced by the followingmagnification scale.

Magnification scale of X direction: (Xd×DXp)/(Xp×DXs) times

Magnification scale of Y direction: (Yd×DYp)/(Yp×DYs) times

The magnification/shrink process is executed when the processing tableof FIG. 19 is referred to as the processing method to be selected.

When the number of colors of the original image is greater than thenumber of colors that can be displayed (depending upon the displayattribute), the processing table of FIG. 19 is referred to and thereducing number of colors is selected to be executed.

Display is effected by the image subjected to the above-describedmagnification/shrink process and reducing number of colors written intothe region of image memory 307 with (Xdo=(Xd×Xpo)/Xp, Ydo=(Yd×Ypo)/Yp)in the display coordinate system as the origin.

(6) CHAOS Processing Module (Module Name: CHAOS)

The pixel value of the image data with the specified ID is altered bythe function set below and then transferred to image memory 307, wherebydisplay is effected at LCD 308. This CHAOS process will be described indetail hereinafter.

The process set forth in the following is carried out on the image datahaving the specified ID stored in RAM 302 (represented as “I0 (z)”hereinafter) using the processing parameter in the module to obtain aprocessed image (called “resultant image” hereinafter). When the imageis formed of X0×Y0 pixels, 0≦z<(X0×Y0) is established, where zrepresents the index of the image data.

With a (0)=A, the following operation is repeated n times.a(n+1)=P(1−a(n))×a(n) z=a(n+1)×X0×Y0I1(z)=R(I0(z))where A, P and N are numerics recorded in the module. A is the initialvalue, and 0<A<1. P is the processing parameter recorded in the module,and takes a random value, preferably 3.6≦P≦4. N is the number ofrepetition. Function R implies a bit inversion process, wherein R(x)=M−xwhen the value of I0 is 0 to M.

Resultant image I1 obtained by the above-described process is subjectedto the magnification/shrink process and reducing number of colors in amanner similar to that of the PUTIMAGE processing module with referenceto the parameters recorded in the module. The processed image istransferred to image memory 307 to be displayed.

In producing image data, it is assume on is carried out on the originalimage with the foregoing CHAOS function and parameter, and thencompressed to be recorded in the encoded contents as encoded image data.If the encoded contents are simply decoded, an image modified by theCHAOS function will be displayed at LCD 308. Therefore, the proper imagewill not be displayed. By applying the foregoing CHAOS process after theencoded contents have been encoded, the proper image can be displayed atLCD 308. By actuating the CHAOS processing module only when there is acontents key in the module, a viewer 101 absent of the contents keycannot display the proper image.

A process may be carried out by defining a processing module using arandom number function RAND, for example, instead of the CHAOS function.Although the picture quality of the displayed image and the size of theprocessing module differ in this case, an effect similar to that usingthe CHAOS function can be obtained. Although description has beenprovided as to a process of mixing/removing noise with respect to theimage data by CHAOS, the noise mixture/removal by the CHAOS can becarried out similarly for other modules.

(7) Blur Process Module (Module Name: BLUR)

After applying a blur process which is one image processing method onthe image data with the specified ID, the processed image is transferredto image memory 307, whereby a blurred object is displayed at LCD 308.By forcing the number of repetitions N to “0” when a contents key isspecified in the module, the blur process is disabled. This blur processwill be described in detail here.

With respect to the image data with the specified ID stored in RAM 302(represented as I0 (x, y), the process set forth in the following iscarried out using the processing parameter in the module to obtain theprocessed image (represented as resultant image I1 (x, y) hereinafter).When the image is formed of X0×Y0 pixels, the relationship of 0≦x<X0,0≦y<Y0 is established, where x and y are the coordinate indexes of theimage data.

The operation below is repeated N times for all the pixels, providedthat I1=I0 when N=0, and the process of step 2 is carried out just once.

Step 1: I1 (x, y)=I0 (x, y)*M (P, x, y)

Step 2: Similar to the method of PUTIMAGE, image I1 is subjected to themagnification/shrink process and reducing number of colors, andtransferred to image memory 307 to be displayed.

Step 3: Let I0 (x, y)=I1 (x, y), and the process from step 1 isrepeated.

It is to be noted that P and N are parameters recorded in the module. *M(P, x, y) implies the moving average process using the mask of P×Pcentered about coordinates (x, y). When this BLUR processing module isexecuted, the image displayed will be gradually blurred if thecorresponding contents key is absent. In contrast, the image with thecorresponding contents key will not be displayed in a blurred manner.Thus, the proper image cannot be displayed with a viewer 101 that doesnot have a contents key.

A process may be carried out with a processing module defined usingvarious image processing functions such as edge enhancement instead offunction *M. Although the picture quality of the displayed image and thesize of the processing module differ in this case, a similar effect canbe obtained.

The process executed by the included contents (steps 1-10) of FIGS. 17and 18 according to the above-described respective processing modules issummarized as below.

(Step 1)

By processing module 706, the IMAGE module process is executed. Sincethere is a contents key 1 in viewer 101 (refer to FIG. 13), the encodedimage data subjected to a compression process by MH (Modified Huffman)encoding is subjected to an enhancing process. The image data isassigned the image data ID number of “1” and loaded into RAM 302 as thebit map image.

(Step 2)

By processing module 706, the TABLE module process is executed. Sincethere is a contents key 2 in viewer 101 (refer to FIG. 13), the tabledata is transferred and an ID number“1” is assigned to that table. Thattable is loaded into RAM 302 as the processing table. In the encodedcontents of FIG. 17, the processing table is loaded properly since thereis a contents key 2. It is to be noted that this processing table is notloaded 1=properly depending upon the charge account status by user 106at vending device 103. There is a case where a process using thisprocessing table may be disabled in subsequent processes.

(Step 3)

By processing module 706, the MODULE module process is executed. Sincethere is a contents key 3 in viewer 101 (refer to FIG. 13), the encodedprocessing module is decoded, a processing module name CHAOS isassigned, and loaded into RAM 02. Since this processing module may notbe loaded properly depending upon the user's charge account status as instep 2, there is a case where a process using the CHAOS processingmodule may not be executed in the subsequent processes.

(Step 4)

By processing module 706, the PAGE module process is executed. Since acontents key is not specified in this module, the process is executed inall cases. More specifically, X pixel numbers 768 and Y pixel numbers1024 of the page coordinate system are loaded into RAM 302 as theattributes of the page data to be used in the subsequent processes untila page ending delimiter/PAGE is read out.

(Step 5)

By processing module 706, the IMAGE module process is executed. Sincethere is a contents key 2 in viewer 101 and the specification of thepage pixel number (768×1024) match the display attribute loaded at step4, the encoded image data compressed by JBIG (Joint Bi-level ImageGroup) coding is subjected to an expansion process, assigned with theimage data ID number of “2”, and loaded into RAM 302 as bit map image.Since this IMAGE module is described in the PAGE descriptor, an unloadoperation from RAM 302 is effected when the page ending delimiter isinterpreted.

(Step 6)

By processing mode 706, the IMAGE module process is executed. Since thespecification of the page pixel number (480×640) does not match thedisplay attribute loaded at step 4 although there is a contents key 2 inviewer 101, this process will not be carried out.

The images specified at steps 5 and 6 will not be loaded into RAM 302 atthe same time since the process is carried out selectively dependingupon the display attribute. This means that the image to be processedsubsequently can be altered by the page pixel number. For example, sincehigh picture quality display is not possible with a magnification/shrinkprocess such as in a font image or the like depending upon the displayformat of viewer 101, the font image or the like is altered to allowaccommodation thereof.

(Step 7)

By processing module 706, the IMAGE module process is executed. Sincethere is a contents key 3 in viewer 101 and there is no displayattribute specification such as specification of the page pixel number,the encoded image data compressed by the JPEG (Joint PhotographicExperts Group) coding method is subjected to an expansion process,assigned with the image data ID number of “3”, and loaded into RAM 302.

For example, when a contents key specified in the IMAGE processingmodule is not present in viewer 101, the relevant image data is notloaded. As a result, there is a case where display on LCD 308 is noteffected.

(Step 8)

By processing module 706, a PUTIMAGE module process is executed on thepreloaded image of image data ID number “1”. Since there is a contentskey 2 in viewer 101 and there is no display attribute specification suchas specification of the page pixel number, the PUTIMAGE module processis executed. Since the processing table with the ID number “1” used inthis process is already loaded into memory 302, a process correspondingto the process ID “1” in the processing table (refer to FIG. 19) is usedwhen an image process such as magnification/shrink process and reducingnumber of colors is required. Since the processing table may not beloaded depending upon the charge account status by user 106, there is acase where an image process is not carried out or where a predetermineddefault image process is carried out.

(Step 9)

By processing module 706, the BLUR module process is executed on thepreloaded image data with image data ID of “3”. Since there is not acontents key 4 in viewer 101, the image displayed at LCD 308 will becomegradually blurred over time.

(Step 10)

By processing module 706, the CHAOS module process is executed on thepreloaded image with image data ID “2” in RAM 302. Since there is acontents key 3 in viewer 101, a proper image is displayed at LCD 308even in the case where the relevant image data is subjected to an imageprocess with the CHAOS function. A similar process is executedthereafter according to the encoded contents.

The foregoing description was provided corresponding to the case whereonly one encoded contents is recorded in medium 102. In general, aplurality of contents are recorded for each title of an electronic bookin medium 102. Interpretation, reproduction and display are effected inthe units of contents according to the charge account status.

Although a process related only to image data has been provided, audioreproduction module, text data display module, and the like can bedescribed in the encoded contents, and the execution controlledaccording to the presence of a contents key.

In the case where a process is to be carried out at each apparatus usedin the electronic copyrighted work distribution system of the presentembodiment, the process can be stored in a computer-readable medium suchas a magnetic disk, an optical disk, an IC card, or the like. Theprocess can be installed appropriately in a hard disk to execute theprogram thereof. Also, the process may be supplied to each apparatus viaa communication line.

FIG. 21 is a diagram to schematically describe the process of viewer 101when the foregoing bit string is present in a nonreadable region ofmedium 102. In medium 102, a bit string 1 and encoded contents arerecorded in the readable region, whereas a bit string 0 is recorded inthe nonreadable region. A detection module 1401 is provided in viewer101 to detect the bit string in the nonreadable region. Detection module1401 detects bit string 0 recorded in this nonreadable region, andsolution operation module 507 generates a contents key from this bitstring 0 and the user key. Subsequent processes are similar to thosedescribed above. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not berepeated.

FIGS. 22A and 22B are diagrams to describe the nonreadable region inmedium 102. As shown in FIG. 22A, a nonreadable region is provided atthe outer circumference of a readable region of a medium 102 taking adisk configuration such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disk-Read Only Memory), aMD (Mini Disk), and the like. The readable region can be read out by ageneral purpose reader through the normal manipulation of user 106. Thenonreadable region cannot be read out by a general purpose readerthrough the normal manipulation of user 106. For example, a bit stringcan be recorded at the nonreadable region by writing particularinformation or pattern at the inner circumference or outer circumferenceof a disk 102 that cannot have data read out by the general purposereader. Detection module 1401 detects a bit string recorded in thisnonreadable region.

As shown in FIG. 22B, a nonreadable region 1503 can be provided at acase 1501 in which medium 102 is stored. By mounting medium 102 intomedium drive 305, a slot 1502 opens so that the contents recorded inmedium 102 is read out by a medium disk 305. Nonreadable region 1503 isattached with a bar code seal at case 1501. This is produced by anasperity process. Detection module 1401 detects the bit string recordedin this nonreadable region.

Upon detection of the bit string recorded in the nonreadable region bydetection module 1401, the encoded contents is interpreted, reproducedand displayed by the method below.

(1) Another contents key in viewer 101 is rendered valid. That contentskey is used by decoded module 508.

(2) The detected bit string is entered into solution operation module507. A process similar to that of the bit string present in the readableregion of medium 102 is carried out. Then, a contents key is generated.That contents key is used by a decode module 508.

Even in the case where the information recorded in the readable regionof medium 102 is copied using a general purpose reader, reproduction ofthe encoded contents is inhibited. Also, control of blurring withrespect to the image is carried out by the above-described displaycontrol.

According to the electronic copyrighted work distribution system of thepresent embodiment, the magnification/shrink process and reducing numberof colors are applied on the image data according to the displayattribute. Therefore, the encoded contents can be reproducedappropriately in the electronic book display apparatus with variousdisplay attributes.

An operation is applied on the user key and contents key to produce abit string at key information management apparatus 110, and a solutionoperation is applied on that bit string to generate a contents key atthe electronic book display device. Therefore, the encoded contents canbe reproduced only through a particular electronic book displayapparatus. Therefore, illegal copy of the encoded contents and illegalusage of the encoded contents can be prevented.

Since each encoded contents can be reproduced according to the chargeaccount, the contents of an electronic copyrighted work to be providedto the user can be modified in a flexible manner.

Fifth Embodiment

FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing a schematic structure of anelectronic copyrighted work distribution management system according toa fifth embodiment of the present invention. This electronic copyrightedwork distribution management system includes a vending device 810 and aviewer 820. The structure of vending device 810 and viewer 820 issimilar to the structure of vending device 103 shown in FIG. 7 andviewer 101 shown in FIG. 8, respectively. Only the function thereofdiffers. Therefore, detailed description of the structure of vendingdevice 810 and viewer 820 will not be repeated.

The publisher edits and polishes the copyrighted work. That copyrightedwork is converted into an electronic form to produce electronic bookdata 811. The produced electronic book data 811 is distributed tovending device 810 via a communication line. Electronic book data 811includes at least one set of the information corresponding to the pairof a vender and data. In the example of FIG. 23, there is a set of avender 1 and data 1. Although description will be provided hereinafterassuming that vender 1 and data 1 are included in electronic book data811 as shown in FIG. 23, the process set forth in the following isapplied on each set of vender and data, or a representative set ofvender and data when there are a plurality of sets of vender and data.Only data 1 may be distributed to the publisher, and vender 1 may beadded in the distribution process from the publisher.

Vender 1 includes two types of information corresponding to respectivecontents. The two information are referred to as information 1 andinformation 2. The details thereof will be described here.

Information 1 indicates the usage time limit of respective contents. Thefollowing three descriptions are present.

(1) The usage time limit is not defined.

(2) Information indicating the usage time limit of the contents isdefined. For example, “Until Mar. 31, 1998” is provided.

(3) The period of time of using the contents is defined. For example,one month, one week, two years, or the like is defined.

Information 2 indicates the reproduction processing method executedaccording to the comparison with a user ID that will be describedafterwards. Any of the three types is defined. The user ID is receivedvia communication port 210 shown in FIG. 7, or directly input by theuser through user interface 208.

(1) Information indicating that the contents are not reproduced when theuser ID does not match.

(2) Information indicating that a process is applied during reproductionwhen the user ID does not match. When this process is carried out, thereproduction processing method of any of the above-described blurringprocess by the BLUR process, the noise mixture process by the CHAOSprocess, or overwriting the displayed contents with the predeterminedpattern is specified.

(3) Information indicating that the contents are reproduced properlyeven if the user ID does not match.

A processing unit 1 (814) obtains information 1 defined at header 1, andcarries out the process below according to the contents of information1.

(1) When the usage time limit is not defined in information 1,processing unit 1 (814) does not carry out any particular process.Header 1 is defined in electronic book data 812 as header 1′.

(2) When the usage time limit is defined in information 1, processingunit 1 (814) does not carry out any particular process, and definesheader 1 as header 1′ in electronic book data 816.

(3) When the usage period of time is defined in information 1,processing unit 1 (814) obtains the current time from a dock 812 tocalculate the usage time limit by adding the usage period of time to thecurrent time. Then, processing unit 1 (814) defines the calculated usagetime limit into electronic book data 816 as header 1′.

By the above process, the newly generated header 1′ of electronic bookdata 816 includes information indicating that the usage time limit isnot defined or information indicating a usage time limit.

A processing unit 2 (815) obtains information 2 defined at header 1, andcarries out the process below according to the contents of information2.

(1) When information indicating that the contents is not reproduced whenthe user ID does not match is defined in information 2, processing unit2 (815) encrypts data 1 with the user ID as the key information togenerate and record in electronic book data 816 data 1′.

(2) When information indicating that a process is applied duringreproduction when the user ID does not match is defined in information2, processing unit 2 (815) encrypts data 1 with an encryption key 813 togenerate and record in electronic book data 816 data 1′.

(3) When information indicating proper reproduction of the contents evenif the user ID does not match is defined in information 2, processingunit 2 (815) encrypts data 1 with encryption key 813 to generate andrecord in electronic book data 816 data 1′.

Then, a processing unit 3 (817) generates auxiliary information 818referring to header 1′ generated by processing unit 1 (814), data 1′generated by processing unit 2 (815) and the user ID. First, processingunit 3 (817) calculates a hash value from header 1′ and data 1′ using ahash function. This hash function is the process to convert a long bitstring (header 1′ and data 1′) into a short bit string. For example, theprocess of adding all the data of header 1′ and data 1′ to set the leastsignificant 8 bits of the added result as the hash value is envisaged.There is also the existing processing method such as the CRC, SHA-1 orMD5 for the hash function.

Then, processing unit 3 (817) receives the calculated hash value anduser ID to calculate auxiliary information by a function F. Thisfunction F is a function such as an encryption function of the commonkey method, for example. With the hash value as the data that is to besubjected to encryption and the user ID as the key for encryption, theauxiliary information is reproduced as below.

-   -   Auxiliary information=F (hash value, user ID)

Auxiliary information 818 generated by the above-described process isadded to electronic book data 816 and provided to the user. Processingunit 1 (814), processing unit 2 (815) and processing unit 3 (817) arerealized by executing the program stored in memory 202 by CPU 201 shownin FIG. 7. The method of providing to the user electronic book data 816by vending device 810 is similar to that described in the fourthembodiment.

The processing procedure of viewer 820 will be described in detailhereinafter. First, a processing unit 4 (823) calculates a hash valueusing the hash function from header 1′ and data 1′ in electronic bookdata 816 provided by vending device 820. Processing unit 4 (823)calculates the auxiliary information by the aforementioned function Fwith the calculated hash value and the user ID as the input. Processingunit 4 (823) compares the auxiliary information calculated and auxiliaryinformation 818 stored in electronic book data 816. Determination of“user ID matching” is made when the information match. When theinformation do not match, determination is made of “user ID mismatch”since the user IDs do not match” may be caused by the falsification ofvender 1′ or data 1′.

A processing unit 5 (825) obtains information 1 from header 1′. When theusage timer limit is not defined in information 1, reproductionprocessing unit 828 is commanded to reproduce the encoded contentsproperly. When the usage time limit is defined in information 1,processing unit 5 (825) refers to clock 824 to compare the current timeand the usage time limit. When the current time is before the usage timelimit, processing unit 5 (825) commands reproduction processing unit 828to reproduce the encoded contents properly. When the current time haspassed the usage time limit, processing unit 5 (825) commandsreproduction processing unit 828 to inhibit reproduction of the encodedcontents.

A processing unit 6 (826) obtains information 2 from header 1′. Wheninformation 2 corresponds to “information indicating that reproductionof the contents is not carried out when the user ID does not match”, thedetermination result by processing unit 4 (823) is obtained. When thedetermination result corresponds to “user ID matching”, data 1′ isdecoded with the user ID as the key information. Reproduction processingunit 828 is commanded to reproduce the encoded contents properly. Whenthe determination result indicates “mismatch of user ID”, data 1′ is notdecoded, and reproduction of the encoded contents is not carried out.

When information 2 corresponds to “information indicating application ofa process during reproduction when the user ID does not match”,processing unit 6 (826) obtains the determination result by processingunit 4 (823). When the determination result corresponds to “match ofuser ID”, data 1 is decoded with decode key 827 as the key information.Reproduction processing unit 828 is commanded to reproduce the encodedcontents properly. When the determination result corresponds to“mismatch of user ID”, data 1′ is decoded with decode key 827 as the keyinformation. Reproduction processing unit 828 is commanded to carry outreproduction by the reproduction processing method defined ininformation 2 of header 1′ when the encoded contents is to bereproduced.

When information 2 corresponds to “information indicating that thecontents are to be reproduced properly even if the user ID does notmatch”, processing unit 6 (826) decodes data 1′ with decode key 827 asthe key information, and commands reproduction processing unit 828 toreproduce the encoded contents properly. Reproduction processing unit828 carries out reproduction according to the reproduction method of theencoded contents described in the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a flow chart to describe the procedure of the user IDregistration process of viewer 820 in the present embodiment. Thisprocess is activated when viewer 820 is reset or when software isinstalled. When the user ID registration process is activated,confirmation is made whether to use the user ID generated by viewer 820or to register an existing user ID through the display of LCD 308. Whenthe user designates the usage of the user ID generated by viewer 820 (Noin S21), a user ID generation/registration unit 821 automaticallygenerates a user ID using a function with a random number, timeinformation, user name, or the like as the input (S22).

When the user designates registration of an existing user ID (Yes inS21), user ID generation/registration unit 821 obtains a user ID throughinput unit 309 (S23). User ID generation/registration unit 821 registersthe user ID generated automatically at step S22 or the user ID obtainedat step S23 (S24). Then, the process ends.

By registering the same user ID for a plurality of viewers 820,illegally copied encoded contents can be reproduced. However, permissionof the registration of a user ID by the user at step S23 is based uponthe event that one user owns a plurality of viewers 820. Therefore, theprocess of step S23 can be allowed for only a particular user, anddenied for other users. Only the user ID obtained by automaticgeneration may be registered in viewer 820. Alternatively, the processof step S23 may be denied for all users.

Processing unit 4 (823), processing unit 5 (825) and processing unit 6(826) can be realized by processing unit 301 of FIG. 8 executing theprogram stored in RAM 302 or ROM 303.

According to the electronic copyrighted work distribution managementsystem of the present embodiment, vending device 810 calculates a hashvalue from header 1 and data 1. The hash value is encripted with theinput user ID as the key information to generate auxiliary informationand added to the electronic book data. Therefore, determination can bemade of the match of the user ID by comparing the auxiliary informationgenerated by viewer 820 itself and the auxiliary information added tothe electronic book data. It is therefore possible to determine whetherit is illegally copied electronic book data or not.

By allowing reproduction of particular encoded contents even if the userID does not match, the user can carry out trial readout of the contents.Since the reproduction processing method can be specified individuallyfor each encoded contents, the contents capable of trial reading can bespecified in a further level.

By the comparison with the current time when the usage time limit orusage period of time is defined in header 1, expiration from the time ofpurchase is allowed.

Since the user ID is registered based on the automatic generation of auser ID by viewer 820 or by the direct input of an existing user ID, thepublisher or the key management center no longer has to administer theuser ID. The entire structure of the system can be reducedsignificantly. Also, the procedure can be simplified.

Furthermore, the manufacturer or the like does not have to assign andregister the user ID every time viewer 820 breaks down or is replaced.The procedure can be simplified.

1. An electronic copyrighted work sales apparatus comprising: acommunication unit carrying out data communication with an externalsource, a user interface for a user to select desired contents, astorage unit storing contents of an electronic book and a contentsidentifier in correspondence, a communication port to which a useridentifier is input, and a processing unit extracting from said storageunit a contents identifier corresponding to the contents selected bysaid user interface, causing said communication unit to transmit saidcontents identifier and the user identifier input through saidcommunication port to said external source, and providing in a pairauxiliary information to display contents received by said communicationunit and the contents of an electronic book selected by said userinterface.
 2. The electronic copyrighted work sales apparatus accordingto claim 1, further comprising a charge account processing unit carryingout charge accounting from a user, wherein said processing unit altersthe contents identifier transmitted by said communication unit accordingto charge account status by said charge account processing unit.
 3. Akey information management apparatus comprising: a first storage unitstoring in correspondence a contents identifier corresponding tocontents of an electronic book and a contents key, a second storage unitstoring in correspondence a user identifier and a user key, and aprocessing unit referring to said first storage unit and said secondstorage unit to extract a contents key and a user key according to aspecified contents identifier and user identifier, and generatingauxiliary information to display contents from said extracted contentskey and user key.
 4. An electronic book display apparatus comprising, aninput unit to enter auxiliary information to display contents andencoded contents of an electronic book, a processing unit generating acontents key from the auxiliary information input by said input unit anda prestored user key, and reproducing encoded contents input by saidinput unit using said contents key, and a display unit displaying thecontents reproduced by said processing unit.
 5. The electronic bookdisplay apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said encoded contentsinclude a plurality of modules including at least one of data and aprocessing program, wherein said processing unit executes said pluralityof modules and reproduces said electronic book contents.
 6. Theelectronic book display apparatus according to claim 5, wherein saidplurality of modules includes a module with a description of displayattribute information, wherein said processing unit extracts a displayattribute from said module with description of a display attribute, andselectively executes said plurality of modules according to said displayattribute.
 7. The electronic book display apparatus according to claim5, wherein said plurality of modules include a module with a descriptionof information indicating the type of contents key, wherein saidprocessing unit extracts information indicating the type of contents keyfrom said module with a description of information indicating the typeof contents key, and determines whether to execute or not said moduleaccording to said information.
 8. The electronic book display apparatusaccording to claim 4, further comprising a recording medium in whichauxiliary information to display contents and encoded contents of anelectronic book are recorded, wherein said input unit reads out theauxiliary information and the encoded contents of an electronic bookrecorded in said recording medium.
 9. The electronic book displayapparatus according to claim 8, wherein said recording medium has saidauxiliary information recorded in a nonreadable region.
 10. Anelectronic copyrighted work distribution management system comprising:an electronic copyrighted work sales apparatus selling an electronicbook, a key information management apparatus administering keyinformation of an electronic book that is to be sold by said electroniccopyrighted work sales apparatus, and an electronic book displayapparatus reproducing and displaying an electronic book sold by saidelectronic copyrighted work sales apparatus, wherein said electroniccopyrighted work sales apparatus includes a user interface for a user toselect desired contents, a first storage unit storing in correspondencecontents of an electronic book and a contents identifier, acommunication port to which a user identifier is input, and a firstprocessing unit extracting from said first storage unit a contentsidentifier corresponding to the contents selected by said userinterface, and providing auxiliary information to display contents andcontents of an electronic book selected by said user interface in apair, wherein said key information management apparatus includes asecond storage unit storing in correspondence a contents identifier anda contents key corresponding to contents of an electronic book, a thirdstorage unit storing in correspondence a user identifier and a user key,and a second processing unit referring to said second storage unit andsaid third storage unit to extract a contents key and user key accordingto the contents identifier extracted by said first processing unit and auser identifier, and generating auxiliary information to display saidcontents from said extracted contents key and user key, wherein saidelectronic book display apparatus includes an input unit to inputauxiliary information to display said contents and contents of anelectronic book, a third processing unit generating a contents key fromauxiliary information input by said input unit and a prestored user key,and reproducing contents input through said input unit using saidcontents key, and a display unit displaying the contents reproduced bysaid third processing unit.
 11. An electronic copyrighted work salesapparatus comprising a processing unit generating and adding toelectronic book data auxiliary information according to the electronicbook data and an input user identifier.
 12. The electronic copyrightedwork sales apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said processing unitcomprises a first processing unit carrying out a process according toinformation defined in a header of input electronic book data andapplying the result to electronic book data to be output, a secondprocessing unit encrypting a portion of input electronic book data, andadding the encrypted data to electronic book data to be output, and athird processing unit receiving information including a user identifier,calculating auxiliary information and adding to electronic book data tobe output.
 13. An electronic book display apparatus comprising: a firstprocessing unit generating auxiliary information according to electronicbook data and a user identifier, and comparing said generated auxiliaryinformation and auxiliary information added to said electronic bookdata, and a reproduction processing unit determining a reproductionprocessing method of contents according to a comparison result by saidfirst processing unit and reproducing the contents.
 14. The electronicbook display apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising asecond processing unit comparing usage time limit information defined ina header of said electronic book data with the current time to determinewhether to display contents or not and outputting a designation to saidreproduction processing unit.
 15. The electronic book display apparatusaccording to claim 13, further comprising a third processing unitdetermining whether to decode or not an encrypted portion of saidelectronic book data according to a comparison result by said firstprocessing unit and carrying out a process.
 16. The electronic bookdisplay apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising a useridentifier registration unit registering a user identifier that isautomatically generated or input by a user.
 17. An electronic bookdisplay apparatus comprising: contents including a plurality of moduleswith at least one of data and a processing program and a module with adescription of display attribute information, a processing unitextracting a display attribute from said module with a description of adisplay attribute, and selectively executing said plurality of modulesaccording to said display attribute to reproduce said contents, and adisplay unit displaying contents reproduced by said processing unit.